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The graphics update for Eve is very nearly upon us. While the first few images were distinctly unimpressive shiny reskins of old ships (as you’ll see at the start of this trailer) the actual rebuilding of larger structure such as spacestations, motherships, and jumpgates is pretty jaw-dropping. As others have noted, Trinity finally gives something of a sense of scale to Eve, with its shadows and detailed textures. One of Eve’s biggest problems was conveying how vast a carrier is compared to a frigate, and Trinity should help with that.

In space no one can hear you scream say thanks, Gametrailers

There are plenty of other changes coming up for Eve too, in the form of major changes to combat, and new ships. And that reminds me that I really need to follow up my last Eve-related post, and about talk PvP in Eve. Maybe later in the week.

Sigh. Eve remains the greatest game I’m physically unable to play. Every time something shiny like this happens (and goddammit Eve was already a damn pretty game ANYWAY) I’m drawn to it… but then I remember just how taxing it was to actually play it on a regular basis. I love Eve, but it doesn’t love me back. I prefer games that are a bit more reciprocal, you know?

I created an account at the launch of EVE, and ever since have played on and off. I love EVE, I just wish I had more time to give it. I do have to spend time with my Wife, and also there’s the whole pesky job thing. And a course I’m doing. Plus all those other lovely games out there, and books and comics.

But I do always enjoy coming back to EVE to play a few missions. I’m very much looking foward to Trinity, I don’t care that it’s the shallow reason of a new GFX engine.

The new graphics content (including new ship models) has now been added to Singularity (the EVE Test Server). Word on the grapevine is RPS should totally do a pre-preview article. EVE needs more pilots (that I can ransom for lovely space drugs).

EVE was already gorgeous. It becoming gorgeous-er doesn’t really fix any of the reasons I left, alas.

This was the same in my case. I don’t recall paying attention to the graphics much at all, certainly not as much as the UI. But not to be a wet blanket, I am happy for the EVE players in getting their new shiny.

The graphics update is entirely optional, they’re still supporting a “classic” client with the old content.

These guys understand that the visuals aren’t the important part, and try their best not to alienate the community. Even for some previous indiscretions they’re pretty hands-on about things, and you can often play around with the GM’s on the test server, who are always friendly.

I spent most of my free trial zoomed out to the point that I’d never notice these improvements. I’d be more excited to hear about the UI changes in Trinity.

I never saw a glimpse of PvP during my two weeks in the game, which is part of why I didn’t subscribe. I’m very fond of the open-ended space setting, coming from games like Freelancer, Privateer and even Starflight… I’d really like to enjoy Eve, but my free trial was unconvincing. I look forward to the PvP article.

I never saw a glimpse of PvP during my two weeks in the game, which is part of why I didn’t subscribe.

The starter space and surrounding areas are specifically crafted so that non-consensual PvP is swiftly punished (basically the police come and blat the aggressor). If you want to experience PvP, and the place most people first get to grips (as either a pirate or bounty hunter) is in low security space.

Head out for a 0.4 system, go to an asteroid belt and wait for a few minutes. Someone in a bigger, shinier, faster space cow will come and absolutely destroy you. It’s when you start to adopt the tactics of the pirates in these situations that you can either learn to fight or join them. This sort of context is so wonderful because there’s no pre-definition to your actions – you can ransom people, you can kill people, you can shoot them to within an inch of their hull, let them go and wink in local space chat. You can find a defenseless miner, fit a cloaking device to your battlecruiser and wait for a would be pirate to take a shot at the aforementioned industrialist. Uncloak and defend his honour!

But, at the end of the day, PvP in EVE is so fluid and changeable that it’s impossible to predict how your next encounter with another pilot will play out. No matter how big your pride and joy is, it’s always vulnerable to superior numbers or tactics.

You will die. But that’s part of the game. Your experience, speed and skill points are only a very small factor in how you lived or died. And that’s why it’s great.

I did spent a few hours in low security space, but nothing ever happened. I even deliberately went to a system that was listed as having multiple pod kills within the last hour, I was so desperate to see some PvP. Nothing.

Maybe I played at the wrong time of day, or I was in the wrong part of space, or I joined the wrong corp (not that I saw any PvP-focused corps that would consider taking a trial account) and maybe I was just incredibly lucky, but I didn’t see a glimmer of the ruthless PvP world I was hoping for.